On Cross-Border Beauty and Joy

A Message from Via's Executive Director “Hold that thought; let’s go catch the sunset!” When I moved to California a little over a year ago, I was struck by how San Diegans go out of their way to put themselves in the way of beauty.On September 6, I joined hundreds of people - including Via’s Board of Directors - who did just that at the 17th annual Fandango Fronterizo at Parque de la Amistad in Playas de Tijuana.That wall has seen so much. Yes, that wall.It has witnessed thousands of hot meals prepared with love for migrants through our Via Migrante program, cross-border fandangos where music dissolves barriers, and the native plantings of Friendship Park’s land stewards. It has also borne witness to tragic accidents, family separations, and deep pain.And yet, in the face of these contradictions, something powerful happens. When we come together as human beings in pursuit of beauty, connection, camaraderie, and joy - despite, or even because of, that wall and those ideologies - magic abounds.

This year, that magic came alive when the Somos La Voz Performance Collective, comprised of seven Mexican-American and Chicano teens from San Diego, took the stage on September 6. Guided by teaching musicians Luis Castillo and Jorge Castillo, they sang and played Son Jarocho with passion, friendship, and pride in their roots. I’ll never forget seeing the girls zapatear for the first time in their Chuck Taylors, or the chills that came with the audience’s spontaneous applause during their vocal and instrumental solos.

Moments like these remind me what a privilege it is to live and work in a community where music, identity, culture, and friendship transcend the barriers that divide us.

In that spirit, I am thrilled to invite you to Via’s first annual Day of the Dead celebration on Sunday November 2 at Mujeres Brew House - see full invitation below.

I hope to see you on 11/2. Whether or not you are able to join us, do consider donating today to keep programs like Somos La Voz free and thriving! Together, we can keep putting ourselves in the way of beauty—and creating it for the next generation.

With gratitude,

Molly Porth Cabrera

Executive Director

Via International